Refrigerator cabinet



Oct. 21, '1941. E. H. BODDY 2,259,993

REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed March 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. l.

, Inventov' Edwin H. Bodd Hi; ACtorneg.

' Patented Oct 21,

uNrrED; STATES PATEJN r" OFFICE My invention relates to refrigerator cabinets.

The air within the refrigerated compartment of a household refrigerator is usually maintained at a temperature of approximately 40 F. to 45 F. for general refrigeration purposes. This temperature is maintained by convection currents of 7 air set up by the cooling unit of evaporator usually disposed in the upper portion of the refrigerated compartment. In the usual refrigerator, this temperature'is obtained by keeping the surface oi. the evaporator or cooling unit considerably below freezing, as ap'proximately20" F., for

example. When the evaporator is operated at a temperature of .this order of magnitude in moist air, the evaporator becomes ,covered by ice and frost. It has been customary to deirost'the unit when necessary as by stopping operation of the refrigerating machine until the temperature within the refrigerated compartment rises sufliciently to melt the ice and .frost or by operating the evaporator on a comparatively long defrosting 'cycle, as between limits of approximately 19 F. and 50 F.

=11; is an object of my invention to provide means to asist in the disposal of .water resulting from such melting and any particles of ice orfrost which may drop from the cooling unit and guard against such wateror ice falling on to the articles stored within the refrigerator. Y

. Occasionally, condensation and drip will take 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the modification disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a different embodiment of theinventlon disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3; and Fig. 8 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 7.

In accordance with the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, I have illustrated a food storage receptacle I0 disposed below an evaporator or cooling unit I I. In order to accommodate any liquid dripping from the evaporator II I provide a divided drip tray l2 comprising separable members It and M, each of which is provided with 'a depressed portion for retaining any moisture dripplngfrom the evaporator ll.

- In order to prevent waterand ice from falling on to the articles storedwithin the refrigerated compartment I5, the members I3 and I4 are arranged to be moved apart into the tilted position shown for the member II in Fig. 1. this positin, any ice or water fallingfrom the "side of the evaporator or cooling unit I will be directed by the guard member upon which it falls'into the interior of the food storage receptacle I I utilized to receive the drip water and ice during the defrosting place even during operation of the refrigerating machine. especially in some portions of the southern states at certain seasons of the year. It is another object of .my invention to provide means to assist in the disposal of such drip.

It is also an object of my invention to provide,

operation. V

In the modification illustrated in Flgs. 4 to 6, inclusive, I have shown a f pair of defrosting guards IS' andwhich are pivotally supported on a shelf ll. along opposite sides of the evaporator. These guards may be rotated into the position shown for member or i d I! in Fig. 4when a combined drip tray and defrosting guard for use withcooling units of the above described type.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part'of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to'the accompanying drawiiigs in which Fig.1 is a front elevational partial view of a refrigerator of the household type illust'rating an application of the principles of my inyention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the combined drip trays and defrosting guards illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view illustrating details of the arrange ments illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig.4 is a view,

partly in section, of amodification of my'invenhaving thermally insulated 1 water to openings 20 at the rear of the cover It.'

'10 into a suitable receptacle 2| it is desired todefrost the cooling unit H, the guard members serving the same function during defrosting as the members It and II. In order to receive any drip water during the refrigerating cycle I have provided a cover IQ for the receptacle II, the cover sloping rearwardlyto direct the drip The drip water may flow'through the openings disposed within the receptacle II. p In Figs. 7 and 8 there is illustrated an embodi ment of my invention similar to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. However, the adjacent sides of the members I30 and! are recessed provided for receptacle ll.

. to provide a damper controlled opening when the members lie and Ila are placed adjacent each other whereby variable ventilation maybe Describing my invention in greater detail,

have provided-a household type refrigerator 2 3 walls A doorppencooling unit II is left a split partition porting ledge. Handles the user to draw apart the members l3 and I4.

or refrigerated compartment there is provided an evaporator or cooling unit ll of any suitable type preferably disposed in the upper portion of the compartment I5. I have illustrated an evaporator the front of which is closed by a door 26. Below the cooling unit N there is disposed a shelf l8 comprising marginal side and rear frame members 21, a decorative front frame member 23 and longitudinally extending cross bars 29 forming an article supporting surface. The shelf I8 is supported below the unit H in any suitable manner as by means of brackets 30.

The portion of the shelf immediately below the open and a frame member to the shelf in the opening. drawings, the frame 3| is provided on each side thereof with a downwardly and inwardly turned flange 32, the inwardly turned portions serving as tracks or supports for a removable food and storage receptacle H).

The two combined drip trays and defrosting guards |3 and I4 fit on the top of the frame 3| forming a cover for the storage pan and at the same time catching any condensation from the cooling unit. As previously stated, the drip tray l2 comprises a pair of similarly formed members |3v and I4. Each of the members I3 and H is 3| is suitably secured As illustrated in the provided with a depressed'portion covering sub stantially the entire area thereof. The members along their adjacent edgesare formed to provide 33 when placed together, as in Fig. 2. This split partition is-provided in order to retain any drip water while the members are being removed for emptying and cleaning pur poses. The depressions are so formed that a supporting ledge -is provided along the remaining marginal edges of the members. The'frame 3| is so dimensioned as to support the members l3 and H on three sides thereof by engaging the sup- 34 are provided to enable On each end of each member or tray l3 and I4 preferably adjacent the partition 33 there is provided a prong or guide member 35 arranged to engage the underside of the front and back portions of the frame 3|, this prong tilting the tray into the position shown for member H in Fig, .1 upon sidewise movement of the member. The frame 3| is notched as indicated by the numeral 36 in order to permit the prongs 35 to clear fhe frame 3| when the tray members are remov Ed I have provided a plurality of-suitable depr essions 43 on the underside of frame 3| for reception of prongs 35 in the defrosting position. These depressions serve tray members when defrosting is desired and also serve to retain the tray members in the defrosting position.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, I propose to use the same storage receptacle H! as that illustrated in connection with Figs. 1 to 3, .inclusive, but instead of having a frame 3| for supporting the receptacle In in the opening in the shelf |8 below the cooling unit, I have provided'a cover I9 having-fianges 32a serving as guides for the receptacle ID. The cover I3 is imperforate except for the plurality of openings 20.at the rear of the cover and the cover is constructed with a slight slope toward the rear in order back of the tray any water dripping from the evaporator. A jar 2| is located in the storage to properly locate the' pan directly below'the holes in' the cover. The receptacle 2| can be removed from time to time and emptied. As shown in Fig. 5, the jar or receptacle 2| is not large enough to catch all of the water from defrosting but is of sufficient volume to catch any condensation or dripping from the evaporator during the normal operating cycle of the refrigerator. During defrosting it is intended that the storage receptacle |0 will be emptied of food and the pan used to catch thedefrost water. However, it is quite possible to use a receptacle 2| large enough to catch the defrost water in which'case it would not be necessary to remove the food stored within the receptacle during de- 'ing unit. In the arrangement to 6, inclusive, the wings frosting. The wings or defrosting guards I6 and H are mounted above the drip tray l0 and cover IS in any suitable manner. As illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive, the wings l6 and H are pivotally supported from the shelf I8 as by means of supports 31. In order to properly position the wings l6 and I1 for directing drip water and ice into the cover I9, I have provided stop members 38 suitably secured in the proper position to the shelf l3. As best shownin Fig. 6, the support members 33. comprise longitudinally extending bars secured at either end to the frame members of the shelf.

If it is desired to vary the temperature within the storage receptacle III, the wings may be made adjustable to a plurality of positions to regulate the circulation of air in the space between the cooling unit and the receptacle. Thus, if the wings l6 and H are in the position shown for the wing IS in Fig. 4, maximum circulation will be permitted and the maximum temperature within receptacle III will result. If the wings l6 and I! are placed vertically,the space between the cooling unit and the cover l9 will be substantially closed along the sides of the cooling unit and the circulation through this space will be minimized thereby increasing the transfer of heat between the storage receptacle and the coolshown in Figs. 4

in the desired positions by frictional engagement between the ends of the wings and the shoulders 44 on supports 31. I

In the form of my inven ion shown in Figs. 7 and 8, I have provided rails or supports 32b in the form of longitudinally extending wires for slidably supporting the food storage receptacle III, the members 32b' being suitably secured at either end thereof to the frame of shelf l8. The tray members |3a and Ma fit in the opening in the shelf I 8 and are supported by the rear frame member 21 and the front frame member 23 of the shelf. A humidity control or damper 33 ex tends longitudinally of the opening in the shelf refrigerator.

to drain to the |8 and is suitably fastened for rotative movement about its longitudinal axis. The split drip trays I30 and Ma fit on either side of the control or damper so that the damper fills the recess or opening'formed in the adjacent sides of the drip trays. A control knob 40 is provided for imparting rotative movement to the damper 39 and suitable calibration marks may be provided to indi-v cate the amount of ventilation to the user of the The tray members |3a and Ila are provided with depressed portions for the reception of drip. water during normal operation of the unit, the bottom walls 4| of the recessed portions extending below the shelf members 29. It will be understood that when it is desired to move the tray members laterally toward the defrosting position, the tray members must be lifted l6 and I1 are retainedv I tions for defrosting.

bar 29 defining the edge of the openingdn the shelf l8 thereby tilting the-tray members. As

long as the tray members are not moved too great a distance, the weight of the trays will cause the end flanges 42 thereof to rest-on the shelf frame members 21 and 28. If desired, stop members may be provided to limit the movement of the combined tray members and defrosting guards. Depressions 43a are provided to position and retain the members in thePproper posi- Many modifications of my invention are pos- .sible. For example, the combined drip tray and defrosting guards l3 and I4 may be supported directly onthe shelf l8 according to the manner illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the prongs 35 en-- gaging the undersides of the frame members 21 and 28 of the shelf. Further, the wing type defrosting guards shown in Figsifto 6, inclusive, may be utilized with-any type of storage pan as; for example, one having an invertible cover which may be used either as a cover or as a'drip tray and may be supported directly on the receptacle, if desired. v

-While I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of my invention. v

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent'of the United States is:

. 1. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a shelf disposed below said unit, areceptacle supported by said shelf below said unit, and means supported by said shelf and adjustable to extend above said receptacle and beyond the sides of said unit'when desired for cooperating with said unit to direct :water or ice incident to the defrosting of said unit into said receptacle.

2. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a shelf disposed below said unit, a receptacle supported by said shelf below said unit, and means supported by ,said shelf and adjustable to ezgtend above said receptacle and beyond thesides of said unit when desired for cooperating with said unit to direct water or ice incident to the defrosting of said unit into said receptacle, and also cooperating with said'unit to control the circulation of air in the space between said unit and said receptacle for varying the temperature within said receptacle.

/ -3. In a refrigerator cabinet including a. cooling unit, a receptacle supportembelow said unit, adivided coverfor said receptacle, said cover comprising a pair of members, each of said members having a depressed portion for retaining.

any water dripp from said unit during the normal refrigerating cycle of said uni 4. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said unit, a divided cover for said receptacle. said cover comprising a pair of members, each of said members having a depressed portion'for retaining any water dripping from said unit during thenormal refrigerating cycle ofsaid unit, said ncinbers being removable in order. to permit thereof.

5. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling the normal refrigerating cycle of said unit and also arranged to be moved into a position for,

cooperating with said unit to direct into said 112- whereby any water or ice dripping from said unit is directed into said receptacle.

'7. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported below said unit. a divided-cover for said receptacle, said cover comprising a pair of members, said members co-- operating with said shelf for causing said members to tilt when moved apart in order that the water and ice dropping from said unit during defrosting thereof be directed into said receptacle.

8. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a receptacle supported belowsaid unit, a divided cover for said receptacle, said cover comprising a pair of members, each of said mem-.'

bers having a depressed portion for retaining any water or ice falling from said unit during the normal refrigerating cycle of said unit, and means for causing said members to tilt when moved apart in order that during the defrosting cycle of said refrigerator any water and ice fallim from the unit will be directed into said receptacle.

- 9. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit and a shelf below said cooling unit, a receptacle removably supported from said shelf, a divided cover for said receptacle, said cover comprising a pair 'of members, means for causing said members to tilt when moved apart, and means for locating and retaining said members in a predetermined tilted position during the defrosting cycle for directing into said receptacle any drip wateror ice falling from said unit.

10. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a shelf below said cooling unit, means for removably supporting a receptacle from said shelf, a pair of defrosting guards carried by said supporting means, said guards and said means being so constructed and arranged as to tilt said guards as saidmembers are moved apart.

11. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit, a shelf disposedbelow said unit, a frame supported by said shelf, a receptacle removably supported by said frame, a pair of members removably supported'by said frame and serving as a coverfor said receptacle, said frame and saidwater incident-to defrosting into the interior of ,said receptacle.

' tacle from said shelf, a I

by said means for closing the open side 'of saidmembers engaging the edges .of said means so- .that when said members are moved apart the unit and areceptacle supported belowsaid unit,

a divided 'cover for saidreceptacle, said cover' comprising a pair of 'members, each. of saidingunitandshelf members being arranged to receive and retain any water orice dripping from said unit during 12. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit and a shelf below said cooling unit means for removably supporting a storage receppair of members carried storage receptacle, each of said members having a projecting portion'engaging the underside of said means, the bottom portion of each of said members are tilted inorder to direct drip water and ice from saidunit into .said receptacle.

13. In arefrigeratorcabinet including a-cooldisposed below said unit, a

receptacle removably supported-by said shelf, a pair of members serving as combined drip tray 1 and defrost guards supported by said shelf, said membersforming a cover for said receptacle and also serving to catch any drip from said cooling unit during normal operation thereof, said members being removable for emptying and cleaning,

said members also being constructed and arranged to be separated slightly for providing variable ventilation for said receptacle and separated still further to receive drip water or ice during the defrosting of said unit and direct said water or ice into said receptacle.

14. In a refrigerator cabinet including a cooling unit and shelf disposed below said unit, a receptacle removably supported by said shelf, a pair of members serving as combined drip tray and defrost guards supported by said shelf, said members forming a cover for said receptacle and also serving to catch any drip from said cooling unit during normal operation thereof, said members being removable for emptying and cleaning, said members also being constructed and -arranged to be separated slightly for providing variable ventilation for said receptacle and separated still further and tilted to receive drip water or ice during the defrosting of said unit, and di- EDWIN H. BODDY. 

